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Revenue from Contracts with Customers
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers by principal service line (in millions):
 
 
Years ended December 31
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Commercial Risk Solutions
 
$
4,652

 
$
4,169

 
$
3,929

Reinsurance Solutions
 
1,563

 
1,429

 
1,361

Retirement Solutions
 
1,865

 
1,755

 
1,707

Health Solutions
 
1,596

 
1,515

 
1,370

Data & Analytic Services
 
1,105

 
1,140

 
1,050

Elimination
 
(11
)
 
(10
)
 
(8
)
Total revenue
 
$
10,770

 
$
9,998

 
$
9,409


Consolidated revenue from contracts with customers by geographic area, which is attributed on the basis of where the services are performed, is as follows (in millions):
 
 
Years ended December 31
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
United States
 
$
4,677

 
$
4,425

 
$
3,981

Americas other than United States
 
940

 
976

 
899

United Kingdom
 
1,555

 
1,436

 
1,354

Europe, Middle East, & Africa other than United Kingdom
 
2,413

 
2,025

 
1,760

Asia Pacific
 
1,185

 
1,136

 
1,415

Total revenue
 
$
10,770

 
$
9,998

 
$
9,409



Contract Costs

The Company recognizes an asset for costs incurred to fulfill a contract for costs that are specifically identified and relate to a contract or anticipated contract, generate or enhance resources used in satisfying the Company’s performance obligations, and are expected to be recovered. Assets recognized as costs to fulfill a contract, which includes internal costs related to pre-placement broking activities, as well as other costs, are amortized on a systematic basis that is consistent with the transfer of control of the services to which the asset relates. The amortization is primarily included in Compensation and benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

An analysis of the changes in the net carrying amount of costs to fulfill contracts with customers is as follows (in millions):
 
 
2018
Balance at beginning of period (1)
 
$
298

Additions
 
1,504

Amortization
 
(1,465
)
Impairment
 
—

Foreign currency translation and other
 
(8
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
329

(1)
Upon adoption of the new revenue recognition standard on January 1, 2018, Aon capitalized $298 million of costs to fulfill contracts with customers.

The Company capitalizes incremental costs to obtain a contract with a customer that are expected to be recovered. Assets recognized for the costs to obtain a contract, which includes certain sales commissions, will be amortized on a systematic basis that is consistent with the transfer of control of the services to which the asset relates, considering anticipated renewals when applicable. For situations where the renewal period is one year or less and renewal costs are commensurate with the initial contract, the Company has applied a practical expedient and recognized the costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred. The amortization is primarily included in Compensation and benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

An analysis of the changes in the net carrying amount of costs to obtain contracts with customers is as follows (in millions):
 
 
2018
Balance at beginning of period (1)
 
$
145

Additions
 
53

Amortization
 
(41
)
Impairment
 
—

Foreign currency translation and other
 
(1
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
156

(1)
Upon adoption of the new revenue recognition standard on January 1, 2018, Aon capitalized $145 million of costs to obtain contracts with customers.
Please refer to Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Principles and Practices” for further information regarding the Company’s revenue recognition policy.